title: The results of prolonged treatment of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.
abstract: Ninety-seven patients with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia were observed in the period between 1965 and 1979. Corticosteroids were found to be more effective in the acute phase of haemolysis (68.6%) than in the prolonged treatment (35%). Favourable results with combined treatment (corticosteroids plus azathioprine or cyclophosphamide) were achieved in 60.5% of patients, while the therapeutic potency of corticosteroids alone was 18.6%. Splenectomy was effective in 81% of the patients. No correlation between postsplenectomy results and spleen to liver radioactivity ratio was observed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003298:Coombs Test; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013156:Splenectomy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone